A state motto is used to describe the intent or motivation of the state in a short phrase. For example, it can be included on a country's flag, coat of arms, or currency. Some countries choose not to have a national motto.

A

The national motto of Afghanistan: لا إله إلا الله، محمد رسول الله (Lā ʾilāha ʾillāl–lāh, Muhammadun rasūl allāh) There is no god but God; Muhammad is the messenger of God. (Shahada), is inscribed on the Coat of arms of Afghanistan.

Q

R

The national motto of the Soviet Union: Пролетарии всех стран, соединяйтесь! (Proletarii vsekh stran, soyedinyaytes'!) Proletarians of all countries, unite!, is inscribed on the Coat of arms of the Soviet Union as shown.

Notes

^Press reports have provided a variety of translations for the phrase. According to Vatican Radio: "Pope Francis has chosen the motto Miserando atque eligendo, meaning lowly but chosen; literally in Latin by having mercy, by choosing him. The motto is one Francis used as bishop. It is taken from the homilies of the Venerable Bede on Saint Matthew's Gospel relating to his vocation: 'Jesus saw the tax collector and by having mercy chose him as an apostle saying to him: Follow me.'"[153]